Multi-compatible digital engine controller

Abstract

A digital engine controller compatible with multiple variants of gas turbine engine is programmed to receive identification of a variant of gas turbine engine coupled to the digital controller and thereafter to automatically determine and adjust inputs to the engine, according to the received identification of engine variant, to meet user-specified output.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of the following earlier-filed U.S. Provisional Application in accordance 35 USC 119: Application No. 61 / 781,493, filed Mar. 14, 2013, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DIGITALLY CONTROLLING TURBINE ENGINES.” The entirety of the foregoing provisional application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to software and hardware integration, and more particularly to the integration of independent software and hardware products in safety-critical, mission critical, or other regulated applications.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]The development of highly complex systems typically involves the use of multiple specialized vendors to design and manufacture specific, stand-alone components that are then integrated into the system. Unless an industry standard has been adopted, each stand-alone c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent is about a device that controls digital engines used in gas turbine engines. The device is designed to work with different versions of these engines and can automatically adjust its settings to meet the needs of the user. The device also has a user interface that allows for easy control of the engine by providing standardized settings based on the user's needs. Overall, this technology makes it easier to manage and operate gas turbine engines, regardless of their specific version.

Problems solved by technology

The development of highly complex systems typically involves the use of multiple specialized vendors to design and manufacture specific, stand-alone components that are then integrated into the system.

The complexity of the integration effort is further increased where the same component needs to be integrated with multiple disparate platforms.

The complexity of integrating components into sophisticated systems can lead to the development of ad hoc architectures.

Popularly called “stovepipes,” such systems use point-to-point integration and can lack coordination and planning across multiple systems.

Thus, prior integration efforts are often duplicated and the resulting system can suffer with a costly, unmaintainable, and unextendable architecture.

The need to satisfy strict industry testing and certification regulations can turn the process of replacing or upgrading a mundane component into a substantial implementation-specific development effort, resulting in additional costs and time delays.

Because the driving force of each integration effort is the characteristics of the given system, the architecture of each resulting interface can be fragile and limited in terms of reusability or adaptability.

The ultimate result is the undertaking of nine duplicative, costly and time consuming, implementation-specific design efforts (illustrated by the connecting lines in FIG. 1) to integrate each object with each system.

Where the systems are for use in safety-critical, mission-critical, or other regulated applications, each object-system implementation may further require verification and certification before release, with the extensive testing required further increasing costs and time delays.

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